Chaza402
Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2016
- Messages
- 34
Here’s what I would do.
-If you can come out and scout the unit before the season do that so your lungs can gain a little practice. This will also help your mind adjust to the mental challenge of hiking day in and day out up and down up and down.
-Spend the money on the best boots and pack you can afford. Don’t go with a gigantic pack that weighs over 6lbs. Keep your kit as light as possible. Don’t overpack for a day hunt but do carry enough water/food for a full day even if you just plan for a quick outing- I’ve made that rookie mistake and ended up getting back to camp 14hrs later - didn’t have water for 6of those hours.
-Plan to give the hunt at least 10 days-12 is my rule of thumb. This does not include travel.
-Spend the first couple days learning your area and seeing if you see fresh sign or see/hear elk. If not move to plan b on day 3.
—If you do plan to pack in just do it for 2-3 nights. And do this around day 4or 5
-if you day hunt take your tests up high or out on the far end of your hunting loop in the middle of the day- I sleep the best in the sun on the side of the mountain. That helps knock back the wasted energy spent hiking back and forth.
-Get a Garmin inreach or some other emergency device so you can stay in touch and if shit does hit the fan you have a way to get help.
-Spend a few morning or afternoons closer to trailheads. I’ve run into elk close to the truck so don’t overlook that, especially on those morning you want to sleep in. On that note Only sleep in when the tag has been filled and most of the meat is back at the truck!
“I’ll sleep when I’m dead” favorite motto from the late great Mr.Zevon is my alarm song every morning before the hunt!
-unless you are injured don’t take any time off, find a river or lake strip down and rest your muscles in the cold ass water- it will rejuvenate you for the afternoon hunt.
-Speaking of injury buy a nice pair of boots and break them in- I have owned a few of the top brands and I will say that for my foot I haven’t found a crispi I couldn’t wear, I own 7 pairs and my wife has 2
- get some trekking poles that are light and easily packable- use one on steep terrain. It will help you keep your eyes out front and not so much on your footing
- that goes for a pack- do research and buy one you like now and start hauling weight. If it hurts when you have 60-70lbs, throw it up on one of the many forums in the classifieds and move on to the next brand. You are going to want a comfortable, well fitting pack when you are day hunting but it’s paramount if you pack in or pack out a bull. ESP by yourself.
-I’m not affiliated with any of these companies I mention but I think theelkcollective.com is one of the better sites for learning about all things elk. I know this is Randy’s baby so of course the new Outdoor Class is good too. If I had to choose one the collective has an ass ton of info.
-another plug- I just had a baby 8months ago and I’m turning 40 next week. Before that starting in February (cause I love hunting Mtn Merriams ) I would run the FS trails 4 miles each morning before work and I would gradually get to packing 100lbs 3 miles up the ridge behind my house each day on the weekend before each season which made the hunt a blast.
To be an elk hunter you really have to be in good shape( that’s not to say you need to look like an ultra marathoner) you just need to be strong and quick with a vast amount of stamina. MTNTOUGH is a great c app that will get you into that type of shape. Been using it for a few weeks now and I’m slowly digging out of the hole my little girl put me in for the previous 7months. Try the free 14 days and see what you think.
Good luck and just keep thinking your bull is just over the next ridge everyday you are in the woods. Also remind yourself when the times are dismal and hope is all but lost that you are pursuing a dream that most people won’t get the chance to in their life. It’s a spiritual quest not a notch in a belt. Relish the adventure!
-If you can come out and scout the unit before the season do that so your lungs can gain a little practice. This will also help your mind adjust to the mental challenge of hiking day in and day out up and down up and down.
-Spend the money on the best boots and pack you can afford. Don’t go with a gigantic pack that weighs over 6lbs. Keep your kit as light as possible. Don’t overpack for a day hunt but do carry enough water/food for a full day even if you just plan for a quick outing- I’ve made that rookie mistake and ended up getting back to camp 14hrs later - didn’t have water for 6of those hours.
-Plan to give the hunt at least 10 days-12 is my rule of thumb. This does not include travel.
-Spend the first couple days learning your area and seeing if you see fresh sign or see/hear elk. If not move to plan b on day 3.
—If you do plan to pack in just do it for 2-3 nights. And do this around day 4or 5
-if you day hunt take your tests up high or out on the far end of your hunting loop in the middle of the day- I sleep the best in the sun on the side of the mountain. That helps knock back the wasted energy spent hiking back and forth.
-Get a Garmin inreach or some other emergency device so you can stay in touch and if shit does hit the fan you have a way to get help.
-Spend a few morning or afternoons closer to trailheads. I’ve run into elk close to the truck so don’t overlook that, especially on those morning you want to sleep in. On that note Only sleep in when the tag has been filled and most of the meat is back at the truck!
“I’ll sleep when I’m dead” favorite motto from the late great Mr.Zevon is my alarm song every morning before the hunt!
-unless you are injured don’t take any time off, find a river or lake strip down and rest your muscles in the cold ass water- it will rejuvenate you for the afternoon hunt.
-Speaking of injury buy a nice pair of boots and break them in- I have owned a few of the top brands and I will say that for my foot I haven’t found a crispi I couldn’t wear, I own 7 pairs and my wife has 2
- get some trekking poles that are light and easily packable- use one on steep terrain. It will help you keep your eyes out front and not so much on your footing
- that goes for a pack- do research and buy one you like now and start hauling weight. If it hurts when you have 60-70lbs, throw it up on one of the many forums in the classifieds and move on to the next brand. You are going to want a comfortable, well fitting pack when you are day hunting but it’s paramount if you pack in or pack out a bull. ESP by yourself.
-I’m not affiliated with any of these companies I mention but I think theelkcollective.com is one of the better sites for learning about all things elk. I know this is Randy’s baby so of course the new Outdoor Class is good too. If I had to choose one the collective has an ass ton of info.
-another plug- I just had a baby 8months ago and I’m turning 40 next week. Before that starting in February (cause I love hunting Mtn Merriams ) I would run the FS trails 4 miles each morning before work and I would gradually get to packing 100lbs 3 miles up the ridge behind my house each day on the weekend before each season which made the hunt a blast.
To be an elk hunter you really have to be in good shape( that’s not to say you need to look like an ultra marathoner) you just need to be strong and quick with a vast amount of stamina. MTNTOUGH is a great c app that will get you into that type of shape. Been using it for a few weeks now and I’m slowly digging out of the hole my little girl put me in for the previous 7months. Try the free 14 days and see what you think.
Good luck and just keep thinking your bull is just over the next ridge everyday you are in the woods. Also remind yourself when the times are dismal and hope is all but lost that you are pursuing a dream that most people won’t get the chance to in their life. It’s a spiritual quest not a notch in a belt. Relish the adventure!